JPH07168105A - Peephole observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an observing device suited to a small hole in which a visual field with a wide angle can be obtained, the contrast of a picture is improved, and the optical axis of a view side can be inclined. CONSTITUTION: This peep hole observation device is provided with an objective system 2 disposed at a cylindrical part 4 which can be fixedly mounted on a door 6 or the like for forming an inverted real image, an erecting part 14 positioned in the passage of an optical axis 15 at least one rear part of the objective system 2 for inverting the inverted image, a reflecting mirror 16 for bending a light beam from the objective system 2 at a prescribed angle, a plane screen 18 positioned between the erecting part 14 and the reflecting mirror 16 for image-forming the real image, an arm 24 and a handle 26 for selectively shaking the screen 18 from the passage of the light beam reaching from the objective system 2, housing 10 mounted on the cylindrical part 4 for housing the erecting means 14, screen 18, and reflecting mirror 16, and an observing lens 28 for enlarging the real image inverted by the erecting means 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a peephole observation device which can be installed on a door, a wall or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In particular, US Pat. Nos. 4,726,670 and 4,892,399 are known as such observation devices. These observation devices have optical equipment capable of observing a projected real image from a position apart to some extent, unlike previous devices that need to form a virtual image and bring the user's eye closer to the eyepiece. It is superior to the conventional device in that it is equipped.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional observing device has a drawback that reduces its usefulness. Both devices, especially the device of US Pat. No. 4,892,399,
Requires a large hole for installation on the door. In the latter case, this is because two Dove prisms 9 and 9'are used as the elements for erecting the image, and it is very difficult to form a hole having two stepped diameters. Not only is it unsuitable for do-it-yourself installations, but refurbishment after installation is a daunting task for even professionals due to the presence of the smaller holes.

In addition to this difficulty, such a large opening is obviously dangerous in that it can be accessed from inside the door to interfere with the door lock by destroying the viewing device. It is a composition.

US Pat. No. 4,726,670 has further inherent drawbacks. That is, the optical system is obviously not a wide-angle system, which is very important in this type of application.
Further, in each of the specifications, the frosted glass screen is exposed to ambient light, so that its effectiveness is significantly impaired, and the contrast is greatly reduced.

A further drawback common to both specifications is that the orientation of the optical axis is fixed. When viewed closely, tall users must bend down, while short users must stand on their toes. Also, when viewing the screen away, satisfactory results are only obtained when viewed from a direction approximately perpendicular to the diffusing screen.

[0007] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a wide-angle peephole observing device, which is often adapted to a relatively small hole as compared with existing ones. It is a further object of the present invention that a relatively small entrance pupil can be used, the image screen can be protected from incident light to improve image contrast, and the optical axis on the viewing side of the device can be used individually. An object of the present invention is to provide an observation device that can be tilted depending on the person.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the above object is to provide an objective system which is installed in a cylindrical portion which can be fixedly mounted on a door, a wall or the like, and which forms an inverted real image, and the objective system. Upright means for inverting the inverted image, located in the optical axis path behind at least one of the components of the system, and at least one reflecting means for bending the light beam from the objective system at a predetermined angle. An image plane for forming the real image, the image plane being located between the erecting means and the reflecting means, and means for selectively swinging the image plane from a passage of a light beam reaching from the objective system, A door that is fixedly attachable to the tubular portion and that houses the erecting means, the image surface, and the reflecting means; and an observing means that magnifies a real image reversed by the erecting means, and a door Achieved by a peephole observation device installed on a wall, etc. .

The present invention is also directed to an objective system which is installed in a cylindrical portion which can be fixedly mounted on a door, a wall or the like, and which forms an inverted real image, and a rear position of at least one of the configurations of the objective system. And an erecting means for reversing the reversed image, at least one reflecting means for bending the light beam from the objective system at a predetermined angle, and at least the erecting means that can be fixedly mounted on the tubular portion. Means and a housing for housing the reflecting means, and a door and a wall provided with an observing means for observing a real image inverted by the erecting means, the observing means being located at a substantially image forming side of a focal plane of the objective system. It is intended to provide a peephole observation device installed in, for example.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For a better understanding, the present invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments in connection with the drawings shown below.

Regarding the detailed description with reference to the drawings, the details disclosed herein are examples.
It is emphasized that the present invention is intended only to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and is intended to provide a description which is believed to be the most effective and easy to understand principles and concepts of the invention. Keep it. In this regard, the detailed structure beyond the part necessary for the basic understanding of the present invention is not disclosed.
The description given to the drawings shows to those skilled in the art how the individual shapes according to the invention are in fact embodied.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a wide-angle lens provided with a plurality of lenses installed in a cylindrical portion 4 fixed at a position of a ring 8 inserted into a door 6. Objective system 2 is shown. Here, the room is on the left side of the door 6.

The housing 10 is preferably made of engineering plastic and is connected to the tubular portion 4 via a metal ring 12. The housing 10 is
In this embodiment, the upright portion 14 which is a hollow roof type mirror is supported, but this is a roof type or an Amic (Amic).
It is equivalent to the i) type prism. The erecting section 14 is
The inverted image obtained by the objective is reversed and the optical axis 15 is refracted by 90 °.

The second member fixedly installed in the housing 10 is a reflection mirror 16 for refracting the optical axis 15. This mirror is preferably a First-Surfase mirror.

At the focal plane on the image side of the objective system 2 between the erecting portion 14 and the reflecting mirror 16, a real image obtained by the objective system 2 and reversed by the erecting portion 14 is placed on the diffusing surface 20. The flat screen 18 that is materialized in is located. The screen 18 is preferably a glass plate having a flat surface 20. This screen 18 is installed in a holder 22 provided at the end of an arm 24, and with the aid of a handle 26 on the outside of the housing 10, the screen 18 is provided with an upright 14 and a reflecting mirror for the purposes described below. It is possible to swivel so as to avoid the passage of light rays to and from 16.

It is also optional to provide a bulletproof plate 17 for protection.

As a further accessory in the peephole observing apparatus according to the present invention, there is an observing lens 28 installed in a frame 32 provided in the housing 10. As described above, the observation lens 28 can be tilted, swung downward (toward the plane of the drawing) or upward (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for the convenience of users of different heights. Has become.

Such a turning characteristic is obtained, for example, by the frame 3
It is realized by a known means such that the projection 34 formed inside 2 is fitted into the arch-shaped groove 36 formed in the portion of the housing 10 where the frame is mounted. For a satisfactory optical effect, the radius of this arched groove 36 is such that the screen 18 which is the focal plane of the objective 2 is
It is desirable that the diffusing surface 20 and the observation lens are at least approximately equidistant from the optical axis or are accurate with respect to the first principal plane of the observation lens.

The horizontal deviation α of the image is the vertical deviation 2
Since α occurs, the optical axis between the upright portion 14 and the reflection mirror 16 is kept strictly horizontal so that the verticality of the object is kept in the image. To lock the housing 10 once adjusted to a certain position, an L-shaped part, preferably with a piece of double-sided tape, is abutted against the door 6,
The rib 40 extending to the character-shaped component 38 is
It is inserted into the groove 42 provided in the via via a gap.
The relatively large opening of the rib 40 has a housing 10
Since the screw 44 can penetrate even after the leveling of
Even if the thickness of the door changes, the nut 46 can be pulled up to lock the housing 10 in place.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow A. The frame 32 and the observation lens 28 are in the normal position (solid line) and descend to the inclined position (dotted line). Further, at the opening position of the housing 10, the screen 18, its holder 22, the arm 24 and the handle 26 are provided.
, Respectively, use position (solid line) and turning position (dotted line)
Indicated by.

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 as seen from the direction of arrow B, in which the frame 32 and the observation lens 28 are in the normal position (solid line) and descend to the inclined position (dotted line).
The point O indicates the center of the above-mentioned turning.

Another embodiment of the peephole observing device is schematically shown in FIG. It should be noted that this is a side view rather than the top view as in FIG. The essential difference between the two embodiments will be described below.

The erecting portion 14 is a roof-type pentaprism, in contrast to the hollow roof-type mirror in the embodiment shown in FIG. This is because the mirror simply reverses the vertical side of the image (the upper side of the object is the upper side of the image, but the right side of the object is the left side of the image), whereas in a roof-type pentaprism the horizontal side of the image is Is also excellent in that it also reverses (the right side of the object is also the right side of the image). As a result, the observer in the room
The same information can be read that is given to the objective.

Another feature of this embodiment is purely aesthetic. Since the device extends vertically downward from the tubular portion (as opposed to extending laterally horizontally in the previous embodiment), symmetry at the surface of the door is maintained.

The housing is divided into housings 10 and 10 'through a joint 11, and the lower housing 10' is rotatable about a vertical axis to some extent (see arrow C). As a result, the observation lens 28
It is possible to turn around this axis at an angle of ± 90 °. This allows observations from positions other than exactly opposite the door. Moreover, since the shaft 48 for inclining the screen is installed in the eccentric hole of the disc 50, by rotating the disc 50, the position of the diffusing surface 20 of the screen is accurately aligned with the focal plane of the objective system 2. It is possible to match.

In this embodiment, the observation lens 28 can be tilted up and down by using the same mechanism. Further, in any of the examples, the position of the observation lens once adjusted is maintained by a detent in the form of friction or serration.

A visitor is usually observed at the door 6 through the screen 18 in the position shown in FIG. Under normal light conditions, the diffusing surface 2 of the screen 18 is adjusted by the objective system 2.
The image obtained on 0 is sufficiently bright, and the image magnified by the observation lens 28 is clear enough to identify the other party. Furthermore, interference with the passage of light rays through the diffusing screen 18 prevents a person outside the door from seeing the room or its details, or identifying a person looking at him or her from the room. However, when the amount of light is small, or when discriminating (for example, I
If more detail needs to be considered (using a D card or the like), rotating the screen 18 out of the path of the light beam provides a bright and clear image.

Here, unlike the telescope, the observation apparatus according to the present invention re-images the image obtained on the focal plane to infinity by the eyepiece lens, so that it can be easily observed even with a relaxed eye. It is important to emphasize the fact that there is. In other words, in the (astronomical) telescope, the focal plane of the objective (the objective system 2 in this case) and the focal plane of the eyepiece lens (here, the observation lens 28) coincide, and as a result, the following undesired Results are occurring.

1. The observation lens is on the screen 18,
It can form an image of at least part of the room, and this image can reach a person by the door.

2. Since the optical system acts bidirectionally, the removal of the screen 18 has the same effect on a person looking into the objective system 2 from the outside as when observing the room.

For this reason, the focal plane of the observing lens 28 is not located on the diffusing surface 20 of the screen 18, although it is distant toward the objective system 2 side. In fact, the distance along the optical axis between the viewing lens 28 and the diffusing surface 20 of the screen 18 is only 2/3 of the total focal length of the viewing lens 28. As a result, the observation lens 28 cannot form a usable image on the diffusing surface 20. Furthermore, screen 1
When 8 is removed, the image obtained by the observer in the room is sufficiently satisfactory, whereas the image obtained by the person outside is extremely sharp, especially when enlarged by a factor of 1 or more. Has become. Similarly, while the field of view obtained through the observation lens is approximately 60 °, the field of view obtained through the objective system 2 has a value corresponding to the inverse square of the square of the magnification. That is, at a magnification of 3 times, the field of view is 60 /
9 = 6.6 °.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the peephole observation apparatus according to the present invention. In this example, the observation lens 28 in the above-described examples is replaced with a window-shaped flat screen 52 having a diffusion surface 54, and the swinging screen 18 is fixed to the housing 10 by a bracket 58. It is replaced by a lens 56. The lens 56 is coaxial with the optical axis of the objective system 2 having a plurality of lenses, and its purpose is to make the diffusion surface 54 of the screen 52.
To provide an observable real image. The screen 52, like the observation lens 28, is installed on the frame 32 that can be tilted or swung downward or upward for the convenience of users of different heights.

At least some of the components constituting the lens may be aspherical, and at least some of the optical components may be made of plastic.

It should also be noted that the roof-type pentaprism 14 may be understood as a mirror.

Further, it goes without saying that the structure for obtaining a sharp focus using the disk 50 having the eccentric hole can also be used in the embodiment shown in FIG.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of each embodiment described above, and that the present invention is embodied as other specific modes without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art. That is, the above embodiments are merely examples in all respects, and do not limit the present invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the claims rather than in the above examples, and therefore, all differences that are equivalent in meaning and scope to the claims are included in the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a peephole observing apparatus according to the present invention as seen from above.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow A.

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 viewed from a direction of an arrow B.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cross section of another embodiment of the peephole observation device.

FIG. 5 is a view of a cross section of still another embodiment of the peephole observing apparatus according to the present invention as seen from above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Objective system 4 Cylindrical part 6 Door 10 Housing 14 Upright part 15 Optical axis 16 Reflecting mirror 18 Flat screen 20,54 Diffusing surface 28 Observation lens

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An objective system, which is installed in a cylindrical portion that can be fixedly mounted on a door, a wall, etc., and forms a reversed real image, and an optical axis behind at least one of the configurations of the objective system. An erecting unit located in the passage for reversing the reversed image, at least one reflecting unit for bending the light beam from the objective system at a predetermined angle, forming the real image, the erecting unit and the erecting unit. An image plane located between the reflecting means, means for selectively swinging the image plane from the path of the light beam reaching from the objective system, fixedly attachable to the tubular part, Standing means,
A peephole observation device installed on a door, a wall, or the like, comprising a housing that houses the image plane and the reflection means, and observation means that magnifies the real image reversed by the erecting means. 2. The peephole observing device according to claim 1, wherein the observing means is adapted to a swivel joint lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to an imaginary horizontal axis. 3. The observation means is a lens.
Peephole observation device described in. 4. The observing means has a radius about the horizontal axis, and a radius thereof is at least approximately equal to a length of a light path from a focal plane on an image forming side of the objective system to a first main plane of the objective system. The peephole observation device according to claim 2, which is adapted to a swivel joint having a distance. 5. The peephole observation device according to claim 4, wherein the length of the light path is shorter than the first focal length of the observation lens. 6. The peephole observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the objective system is a wide-angle system including a plurality of elements. 7. The peephole observation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one element of the objective system is an aspherical surface. 8. At least one of the reflecting means comprises:
The peephole observing device according to claim 1, wherein the peephole observing device is a flat plate-shaped mirror that is arranged so as to reflect the optical axis by about 90 ° and is installed in the housing in the vicinity of the observing means. 9. The peephole observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erecting means is a prism-like erecting portion installed in the housing. 10. The peephole observation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the upright portion having a prism shape is a roof-type pentaprism. 11. The peephole observation device according to claim 1, wherein the upright means is a mirror-like upright portion installed in the housing. 12. The erecting means is a mirror arranged to exhibit the optical characteristics of a roof-type pentaprism.
The peephole observation device according to claim 1. 13. The housing is a split housing consisting of two parts, a first part accommodating at least the upright means and a second part accommodating at least the reflecting means, A peephole observation according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is fixed and the second portion is adapted to rotate about an optical axis of the objective system coupled to the erecting means and the reflecting means. apparatus. 14. An objective system, which is installed in a tubular part that can be fixedly mounted on a door, a wall, etc., and forms a reversed real image, and is located at the back of at least one of the configurations of the objective system, Erecting means for inverting the formed image, at least one reflecting means for bending the light beam from the objective system at a predetermined angle, at least one erecting means that can be fixedly mounted on the tubular portion. A housing for accommodating the reflection means, and for observing the real image reversed by the upright means,
A peephole observation device installed on a door, a wall, or the like, which comprises at least an observation unit located substantially on the image formation side of the focal plane of the objective system. 15. The peephole observing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the observing means for forming the real image together with the diffusing surface forming the image plane is at least a semitransparent flat window. 16. The peephole observing device according to claim 14, wherein at least one element of the objective system is installed in the housing between the erecting means and the reflecting means.